Move Countdown south or I'll quit, says Des

Countdown presenter Des Lynam has sensationally demanded the show be moved from its lifelong home in Leeds to London or he will quit.

Des, 63, made the walk-out threat after he claimed the 200-mile journey from his house in Chiswick, West London, to Yorkshire was too much for him.

And TV bosses desperate to keep the former Match of the Day man, who has been a ratings success since taking over from the late Richard Whiteley last Autumn, have agreed to his ultimatum and will now move the studio down south.

Despite the fact show is only filmed one week in four, Des's travel demands will mean around 40 production staff will have to relocate from Yorkshire Television in Leeds - where the game show has been filmed for the last 24 years.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "The show will stay in Yorkshire for the rest of the year, with filming at the new studio beginning in 2007."

A show insider told the Daily Mirror: "Des is 63 and has said he's finding the travelling too much.

"He wants the show filmed somewhere near the M25 so it's easier for him to get to. It's always been a Yorkshire programme. Richard Whiteley will be turning in his grave.

"He only films for about 50 days a year, which is 10 trips if he stays for the week. It's not as if he's having to get the bus up here. And let’s not forget he's being paid £600,000 for his troubles," the insider added.

Although filming will move, the production office where the show is researched and edited will stay up north.

The weekend edition of Countdown has already been cancelled after Des informed bosses he did not want to make the Saturday show.

But co-host Carol Vorderman, who also lives in London, was said to be unperturbed by the eight-hour round trip and happy to continue working in Yorkshire.

Des's agent, however, has insisted he was happy to work in Leeds. She said: "Des has not asked for any changes."